2019 Porsche Cayenne First Review
Nearly 15 years after Porsche surprised its loyalists with the announcement of a brand-new crossover called the Cayenne, it is delivering a third-generation follow-up. Despite concerns that a sports car company would never be able to sell a family vehicle, the company鈥檚 venture into unchartered territory is a smashing success鈥攖o date, more than 770,000 Cayennes have been sold worldwide. The 2019 model year marks the arrival of a completely redesigned Cayenne that doesn鈥檛 stray from the automaker鈥檚 original formula. Like its predecessors, Porsche鈥檚 five-passenger crossover continues to focus on driving dynamics, technology, and luxury in that specific order. Nobody will mistake the all-new Cayenne for anything but a Cayenne. Despite looking strikingly similar to the outgoing model (proving that Porsche doesn鈥檛 want to offend any of its loyal followers), every panel has been re-sculpted. A closer examination reveals the front fascia, with its signature horizontal grille, is more pronounced and the rear now features an illuminated light bar connecting the taillamps.
The wheels have also grown in diameter to better fill the wheel wells for a more aggressive stance. The Cayenne rides on a new chassis from its parent Volkswagen Group, which is called the MLB platform and is shared with the Audi Q7. The new SUV is slightly longer and lower than its predecessor, which improves aerodynamics and handling. The wheelbase remains unchanged, but there is more room within the cabin and cargo area. Important news is that the new Cayenne has lost weight, even in the face of increasingly stringent safety requirements and more standard equipment on the new model. Losing mass delivers improvements in acceleration, fuel efficiency, and handling. In standard trim, the all-new 2019 model is more than 120 pounds lighter than that outgoing model, and a whopping 400 pounds lighter than the first-gen Cayenne. It鈥檚 no surprise the Porsche redesigned the cabin of the Cayenne to mimic the Panamera鈥攖he two appear very similar in layout. Large flat-panel multifunction displays dominate the real estate in front the driver, with the only analog gauge being a large circular tachometer set in the middle (the speedometer and auxiliary gauges are all digital).
A 12.3-inch touchscreen, mounted high atop the center console, is used by the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system to display and control the infotainment features and functions. Countless other buttons are cleverly disguised beneath a black panel between the front passengers, which is only backlit when the ignition is on. They look clean and futuristic鈥攖he automaker鈥檚 objective鈥攂ut lacking a physical knob or switch means that drivers must remove their eyes from the road to actuate. Thankfully, Porsche has retained traditional switches and controls for the windows and mirrors, and the HVAC vents may be moved and closed by hand (the Panamera requires the driver to use the infotainment interface). Helpful console- and door-mounted grab handles, now a Cayenne signature, are retained in the new model. Passengers in both rows will enjoy the accommodations if there are only four on board. The Cayenne seats a fifth, but the center seat in the second row isn鈥檛 sculpted to comfortably support a human鈥檚 spine, although it fine for temporary use.
The front seats are very comfortable with generous legroom and nice side bolstering. There is adult-sized legroom in the second row, too, and the seats split/fold to increase the size of the cargo hold. Standard Cayenne models used to arrive with a Volkswagen-sourced V6 that was naturally aspirated and slightly lethargic. That changes with the 2019 model, which debuts with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 rated at 340 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. The new engine completely changes the character of the base model, delivering a strong punch off the line (Porsche conservatively estimates a 0-60 mph sprint of 5.9 seconds) and power to pass on the highway. Those seeking more power will want to consider the Cayenne S. It arrives with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, the second turbocharger more than makes up for the smaller displacement. This engine is rated at 440 horsepower and 402 lb.-ft. 60 mph. Porsche and fits these models with larger brakes to accommodate the increased performance.
Those wanting to really fly will want the Cayenne Turbo and its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that boasts an impressive 550 horsepower and 567 lb.-ft. Its 0-60 sprint is just 3.9 seconds and it doesn鈥檛 run out of steam until it hits 178 mph. Larger brakes and an aggressive wheel and tire package are standard on the Turbo. Porsche has been painting its brake calipers for years, with each color representing a different type of performance braking system. In general, the automaker has stuck with silver, black, red, and yellow. The 2019 Cayenne introduces white brake calipers to define its new Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) system, which is comprised of traditional iron rotors with a tungsten-carbide coating. This exterior layer increases friction for shorter stopping distances. Most important for consumers, however, is that the PSCB upgrade will increase rotor life by an estimated 30 percent and significantly reduce unsightly brake dust. The new brakes certainly feel different.